Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-25
How the Central Unlon MISSION .zns.,
tanned q thousand Guests.

The observance Of Thanksgiving Day by the
Central Union Mission yesterday was no mere
form. They not only had religious meetings In
progress nearly all day, but they entertained
about q thousand guests at dinner at the mission
rooms, $40 pennsylvania avenue. The main room
On the second floor was given up to the religious
meetings, and by IL O'Clock, when the meeting
began, the room was crowded with an attentive
audience IL was generally known that there was
going 20 be something TO eat and that is an
attraction which appeals alike to the rich and the
poor, and throngs an afternoon tea as well as a
dinner 10 the poor. The gentlemen and ladies
who are interested In this work were out In force
and the anticipation OF the good things in
store In the room upstairs was noticed
pervaded the assembly. According 10 the program
announced on the tickets OF invitation there was
TO be religious services from IL TO o'clock. then
dinner from TO 5 p.m and religious services from
2 TO pm. SO, while the meeting was In progress
down stairs there were great preparations going
on In the room Immediately overhead. where the
tables were being spread Some indication OF what
was being done upstairs was conveyed from time
70 tine TO the audience by the appearance OF men
IN the rear Of the room staggering under generous
loads OF pie and turkey and other good things as
they passed along TO the stairs which lead 70 the
room above. The procession OF these good things
as they appeared for one delicious moment and
then DISAPPEARED again, had the effect OF keeping
pleasant anticipation. The boys and girls OF
both coors kept one eye, at least, on the door
leading upstairs, and the other as far possible
Some OF the boys and girls OF larger growth, as
the hands CT the clock back OF the platform begun
70 move toward the hour Of I, 6ssIayed par,
same vicinity. The singing and praying and the
Narration Of experiences. however, went on with,
great spirit
THANKFUL GATHERING.
People told what they had to be thankful for
and, although most Of the speakers were evi-
IDENTIFY poor In this worlds goods yet that fact
did not seem 70 prevent their having enjoyed
numerous blessings and pleasures. The boys and
and WITH the authority and sanction OF ticket OF
invitation 10 the dinner firmly grasped In their
comrades, joined heartily In the singing. with the
laudable ambition TO contribute their share
toward the success OF the meeting. Some OF the
too deeply engrossed In what was going on at the
door Of the banquet room, made one or two pre-
ne, e ,n ,or the door S under the impression
formed kindly OF their mistake they beat a hasty
retreat back 70 their seats, looking rather crest
was with them. for no one laughed, and the bows
d1d not lose their interest In the door When i
uoa ~ saying that dinner was ready, ana. amid
the SreaInisss az, attention Of the audience,
said SAID thai they would dine in Dai dey
tachments, and he remarked Casually that he
hoped thai there would be good many vino s would
walt and eat dinner with him He also cautioned
those who went 70 dinner flrst TO remember that
turn would come as soon as possible. Everybody
laughed, and In the best spirits the people began
aers Then the dSor Of sss sss Sse
hail was closed, and those remaining down stairs
eootinuesi the religious meeting.
THE TABLES.
In the hall upstairs long tables were stretched
from end 70 end OF the room, and as soon "a the
saQfn1 hcra rraa
knives and forks The ladies' with their white
aprons who had volunteered their services A.
waters hurried about attending 20 the wants Of
the guests pom each plate had been placed a
were great plates OF rolls and sandwiches glasses
ofceery dishes Of cranberry and lots OF other
good tnlngs FROM the side tables the ladies' were
busy handing out cups OF hot coffee cake. pies
oranges, bananas and apples, and the waters lew
their hungry guests There Was nor @ucs ,,, oa
wasted In conversation or In looking about al
though the diners must have found time 70 admire
the dishes OF beautiful cut flowers. winch thrpnos
the Kindness OF Ms Cievelend adorned eyTry
table. The oill OF fare WAS ample, and seemed
the large proportion Of whom apps ssstS
seldom had the Opportunity OF sitting down 10
generous table. There were one hundred and
and al the end Of nan an hour they gave way 70
the hungry ones waiting below. At this rate the
guests included not only those 70 wnom tickets
had been issued but also the large number who
presented themselves unasked but as they discov-
cred not uDwelcomed IL Fascinated that about
one thousand persons ate their Thanksgiving din
ner at the mission rooms. Mr.. E. W. Wheeler
whose energy and real pervades the entire work OF
the mission. told a STAR reporter that the dinner
30 bountfully supplied was the contribution a
people throughout The city who are interested In
this work. They gave not only food but money,
and all the cooking was done BY one o. the best
caterers In the city.
M L X Diea al the same time yesterday gave
adinner az the hall, 18th and + streets south.
west, which b used BY the Central Mission for
their meetings He gave q cordial welcome and 3
good dinner 70 all who came.